89952: He works as a trustee in a bank and he may have to write cheques for riba-based loans

I work as a trustee in a bank and I make out cheques. Sometimes the amount in the bank account does not cover the amount of the cheque, so the cheque is handled by the bank as a loan with interest to the institution. Is there any sin on me if I write the cheque? Also is there any sin on the person who deposits the cheque?.

Published Date: 2006-11-01

Praise be to Allaah.

It is not permissible to deal in riba (usury, interest) or to
help with that in any way, shape or form, because Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):

“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue,
righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and
transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment”

[al-Maa’idah 5:2]

It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be
pleased with him)said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) cursed the one who consumes riba and the one who pays
it, the one who writes it down and the two who witness it, and he said: they
are all the same.

As for the cheque which constitutes a loan with interest, it
is not permissible to write it or help with it. The one who does that is
exposing himself to the curse and being cast out from the mercy of Allaah.

The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas
were asked: What is meant by the one who writes down riba, as mentioned in
the hadeeth of Jaabir that was narrated by Muslim, where he said: the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed
the one who consumes riba and the one who pays it, the one who writes it
down and the two who witness it, and he said: they are all the same? Is the
one who writes down riba the one who just writes that document? Or could it
include any individual who has nothing to do with the riba institution, but
because of his work as an accountant, he adds and subtracts numbers in
documents that have nothing to do with the original document of riba? Is
that accountant regarded as writing down riba, or does this wording apply
only to the one who writes that document and does that not apply to anyone
else and does the curse not apply to anyone else?

They replied:

The hadeeth about the one who writes down riba being cursed
is general in meaning, and it includes the one who writes the original
document, the one who copies it if the original wears out, and the one who
records the amount in records of accounts, and the accountant who works out
the rate of interest and adds it to the original sum, or send it to the
depositor, and so on. And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah send
blessing and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.